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Web getting seamier ORGANISED crime gangs are becoming ever more technically advanced and are behind a dramatic rise in the amount of child pornography spread over the Internet. In its annual report on organised crime, the Criminal Intelligence Service, Canada, has said some gangs are taking advantage of "seemingly limitless resources" to become proficient in high-tech operations. "It would appear that cost is no object when it comes to attaining or developing leading-edge technology to facilitate crimes or engage in counter-surveillance against rivals or law enforcement," the report says. Credit-card fraud is increasing and the police is logging more crimes such as computer system intrusions, data and identity theft, intellectual property theft, as well as the dissemination of computer viruses. "Over a relatively short time frame, the law enforcement community has witnessed an exponential expansion in both the scope and depth of organised crime’s ability to use technology in furthering their criminal activities," the CISC said. The CISC noted what it called an alarming boom in the distribution of child pornography over the Internet. The police reports that "the number of images retrieved from seized computer hard drives during authorised searches has increased dramatically," it says. The CISC — which coordinates all of Canada’s law enforcement agencies — says it is being asked to help with a dramatically increased number of probes into child pornography. In 2000 it received 245 international and domestic requests for assistance into cases of child pornography. Last year the number jumped to 419 and this year more than 900 requests are expected. The police is also worried by signs of increased cooperation between previously antagonistic organised crime groups. Some eastern European gangs have developed ties with ethnic Italian and Asia-based organised crime groups — as well as with outlaw motorcycle gangs — to reach new markets. "The days of these factions operating as independent, isolated units that would take violent steps to protect their turf are over," says Giuliano Zaccardelli, who heads the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. "We need to match and in fact exceed the current and anticipated levels of co-operation between criminal groups," he told a news conference. The CISC says Asia-based organised crime groups remain extensively engaged in the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit credit cards, software and electronic entertainment, and are also involved in the cocaine and heroin trade.
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